Food and Gear

Food

It goes without saying that out of everything brought for a trip into the backcountry, the food is one of these most important “pieces of gear” you will bring. It needs to have enough calories, carbohydrates, and proteins for the body to use effectively. The healthier and more nutritional your food, the better your body will perform. Food is also an item that fluctuates in weight. Those tackling trips lasting several days will appreciate how their bags are getting lighter day by day.

What exactly to bring depends on the individual. Food brought ranges from people bringing their home pantry to buying freeze dried meals. Bring whatever you feel like taking with one thing in mind; you’ll have to carry all of it. Food prepared or brought from home will be fresher, but the weight can be an issue. Freeze dried meals are light weight, but they are not as fresh.

If you are wanting to prepare your own food, then check out backerpacker magazine’s food and nutrition section. There are dozens of great recipes and inexpensive ways to make meals from the food in your pantry. Rather just buy your food without making a mess in the kitchen? Head over to Mary Jane’s Outpost. These are all freeze dried meals. There are other freeze dried meal companies, but Mary Jane’s is completely organic, cooks in the packaging it comes with, and can be safely burned in a fire without worry of release harmful chemicals! Meals are made when you place your order. Just make sure to order your food 2 weeks head of your departure date.

Gear

Gear is almost as diverse as the kinds of cereal in a grocery store. They all serve the same function, but come in a variety of slight differences and quality. Every hiker/backpacker is going to have their favorite brand and/or equipment they like to bring. Typically the lighter the gear the more expensive, so research thoroughly before buying. If available in your area, go to the local outfitting store to try it before purchasing.

Here is a general list one could use when planning a trip. Some will feel it is too much while others may thing it is not enough. It is recommended you customize this list below to meet your needs. For example there are those that don’t use a tent while others must have one. Following the list are some online outdoor stores you may be interested in shopping at.

In our store, you’ll find the best gear from top brands like The North Face, Black Diamond, Petzl, Mountain Hardwear, Arc’teryx, Salomon, and more. With over 250 brands and nearly 50,000 products, Backcountry.com offers a wide array of the absolute best-made gear including backpacking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, kayaking, mountaineering gear and more, all at competitive prices. If you can’t find a piece of gear on Backcountry.com, it’s likely not a piece of gear you really need.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear. Ranked #1 in the outdoor retail business in 2006. One of their philosophies is that the customer is #1!

The Clymb inspires human-powered adventure by delivering member-exclusive 72-hour sales on premium brands and experiences, hand-picked by our team of fellow enthusiasts and experts. Membership is free, allowing users to shape the community by inviting like-minded friends.

No matter what your favorite outdoor activity is, we have the gear, apparel, and advice you can depend on all 100% guaranteed to perform for you. In addition to top national brands, we’re especially proud to offer our own Eastern Mountain Sports brand of apparel, outerwear, and outdoor gear. Designed to perform in the unforgiving, ever-changing weather of New England, if it works for us here, it will work for you ANYWHERE.

Moosejaw brings the latest line of gear from major outdoor companies like Patagonian, Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, Marmot, and more. Offering discounts, members reward points, special sales, and all with a fun attitude, shopping this online store will be a unique experience unlike any other retail site.

ProMotive.com is an online marketplace for Pros who have significant sales influence within personal and professional communities. Shop on ProMotive.com for pro deal on up to 189 brands. Then promote their products to your friends, co-workers and clients!

At REI, we love to get outside and play, and we know first-hand the importance of quality outdoor gear. We stand behind all our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we design our own line of award-winning REI brand gear and clothing.

Our promise is simple: Great Deals on Great Brands. There are brand names you love, brands that pretty much tell the world who you are – inside and out. At Sierra Trading Post, it’s our calling to put those can’t-live-without brands within your reach. For a quarter-century, we’ve saved you and people like you more than $3 billion off retail prices. That’s 35-70% savings (and sometimes more) every single day. Only the most tried-and-true selection of gear, clothing, shoes, sporting goods, and décor find a home at Sierra Trading Post. So when you find it here, you know you are getting a great deal on something pretty terrific.